often enough that in this business we can't afford a conscience?
PLACEK: So I have. But sometimes I wonder ...
ELENA: Look, I'm not leaving you alone in this mood. Stay here and I'll order sandwiches - with something to wash them down. I'll be back in a minute or two.
DISSOLVE TO A CITY STREET, THE NEXT DAY.
Elena and Tony are walking along in inaudible conversation. A large car pulls up, three toughs pile out and bundle them protesting into the back, then drive away.
CUT TO A POLICE STATION INTERIOR: MINUTES LATER.
The toughs roughly usher Tony and Elena in.
ELENA: I tell you I've got to make a phone call.
TOUGH: Save your breath - and keep moving.
Tony and Elena are shoved through into an inner area.
FADE OUT.
Return to Contents
FADE UP: THE CONFERENCE OFFICE, TWO HOURS LATER.
On the desk are piles of timetables and draft presentations, while most of the document wallets have gone. Placek is seated at the desk, annotating his conference programme. Elena storms in, flustered, dishevelled and furious.
PLACEK: Elena! You're back early. And where is the Professor?
ELENA: I thought you said you'd arranged for there to be no interference.
PLACEK: Yes, so we agreed. Has something gone wrong?
ELENA (beside herself with rage): Gone wrong? It's a disaster!
PLACEK: Calm down, Elena ...
ELENA: Calm down? It's easy enough to say that - you didn't have to go through it.
PLACEK: No, but we can't do anything about it until you tell me what happened. I'll order some coffee.
ELENA: That muck? As if I hadn't had enough to put up with this morning!
She takes a grip on herself and sits.
ELENA: Sorry, you're right.
PLACEK: That's better. Take your time. I'll have to go and ask for the coffee - they're not answering the phone.
Placek leaves, returning in a minute or so. Meanwhile Elena repairs her appearance.
PLACEK: It's chaos out there; the coffee may take a little while. Now, let's have the story.
ELENA: Well, I picked up the Professor at nine o'clock as arranged. I'd worked out a schedule that took us through all the places where a contact was at all likely. It was going like clockwork. Then, just when we were half way through, a bunch of the local baboons suddenly jumped us and carted us off to headquarters.
PLACEK: Damn!
ELENA: Is that all you can say?
PLACEK: Anything else might be more colourful, but to the same effect. What happened then?
ELENA: I protested, of course, but it was useless. They didn't know anything about the conference, and I couldn't produce my identification - obviously - until they'd separated us for questioning.
PLACEK: Of course.
ELENA: After that they were almost apologetic, but when I tried to explain that this was a special operation and I had to stick with Professor Anderson, they just wouldn't listen. Simply brought me back here and dumped me on the doorstep. The humiliation of it! I'll never live that down.
PLACEK: Very regrettable, but a minor consideration.
ELENA: Maybe to you ..!
PLACEK: Yes, yes, I know. But no one who matters is likely to hear about it. At the moment I'm more concerned about the Professor. And what happened to our arrangement. (Dialling the telephone) I'll see what they've got to say about that.
ELENA: Hmph!
PLACEK (on the telephone): Ah, put me through to Colonel Grigorevitch, please ... Yes, I dare say he is, but this is important - Special Operations business ... Dr. Alexander Placek. I had an appointment with him last week, you may remember. (To Elena) In another meeting.
ELENA: One way of evading questions.
PLACEK: Probably genuine. At least they're trying to get him.
He waits impatiently for a reply.
PLACEK: Ah, success. (On the telephone) Sorry to disturb you, Colonel, but this is urgent. Look, it's about the suspect Anderson. Didn't we agree that you'd prevent any interference with our operation to trace his contacts here? ... Yes, it damn well did. The Professor and my agent were both detained this morning, right in the middle of it ... Naturally, she did protest, but to no avail. And then after she'd identified herself and pointed out the importance of the operation, she alone was released - it just isn't good enough ... Yes, of course it's wrecked our chances ... I see. I suppose it's the best we can hope for ... Yes, I'll do that. Thanks. You have the number? . . That's right. I'll be here for the next half hour, anyway.
He rings off; to Elena
PLACEK: He'll make inquiries and call back. Meanwhile he offers his personal and profuse apologies for the indignity you've suffered.
ELENA: Fat lot of good that'll do.
PLACEK: But it shows willing. Now, what can we salvage? You say you'd got half-way through your schedule.
ELENA: Near enough.
PLACEK: Any interesting reaction?
ELENA: Not a jot. He just looked at all the usual things, clicked his camera where any tourist would, asked me to take his picture in one or two places, then took mine ...
PLACEK (momentarily worried): Eh? Oh, no matter. Go on.
ELENA: Well, to cut it short, he never stepped out of line and no one else made the slightest attempt to approach him.
PLACEK: In fact, a dead loss.
ELENA: Exactly.
PLACEK: I suppose the change of day may have thrown things. Though you'd expect him to make some alternative arrangement.
ELENA: Any phone calls last night?
PLACEK: No, but he'd not be fool enough to risk that. There'd be a message through a chambermaid or something of the sort.
ELENA: Haven't they been vetted?
PLACEK: Supposedly, but it's too big a job to check them all as thoroughly as we'd like. No, I'm afraid that if there was to have been a contact made today, our friends have scuppered it. (The telephone rings; he answers.) Placek.
There is a long speech from the other end; he mouths "Grigorevitch" at Elena.
PLACEK: Thank you, Colonel. I shall of course do so ... No, nothing. I'm afraid we must consider the operation aborted ... Quite so. Win some, lose some. That's life.
He rings off and sits in thought.
ELENA: Well?
PLACEK: Hmm? Oh, it seems that the man detailed to follow you reported sick this morning, and the stand-in, who had been to a rather lively party last night, was very much less than lively today. He will be disciplined.
ELENA: And how does that help us?
PLACEK: It doesn't, for this occasion. But it may remind him to be more careful another time - besides perhaps giving you some personal satisfaction.
ELENA: It's no good to me if the poor so-and-so gets it in the neck.
PLACEK: That's a pleasing aspect of your character. (Elena glows a little with satisfaction.) Anyway, he'd dropped behind, and was just catching up when a routine patrol realised that you and Anderson weren't with one of the regular Intourist guides, and picked you up quite properly according to standing orders -
ELENA: But didn't they know ..?
PLACEK: We'd warned them about Wednesday, but the message about the day being changed evidently hadn't got through to that level.
ELENA: Typical.
PLACEK: Indeed. Luckily the Duty Officer had his wits about him enough to check, and has sent the Professor back with abject apologies and VIP treatment. He should be here soon.
ELENA: So what do we do now?
PLACEK: Pacify him as best we may - and go on preparing for the conference. Ah ...
Tony enters, rather unsteady in gait and slurred in speech, clutching his camera. Placek rises to greet him.
PLACEK: Professor! Elena has told me about your most unfortunate experience.
TONY: Oh, yes?
PLACEK: I am mortified that our attempt to make your visit memorable should have become so disagreeable...
TONY: Not your fau
lt, I'm sure ...
PLACEK: Even so - but you seem unwell - what is the matter with you?
TONY: Nothing much - not that a few hours' rest won't cure.
PLACEK: Are you certain?
TONY: Oh, yes. The police fellow who saw me off - very decent chap - rather over-generous with the vodka bottle - not really used to it - think I'd better go to my room.
PLACEK: Is that all? You have greatly relieved my mind. Allow me to give you some assistance.
TONY: Thanks. Sorry to be a nuisance.
PLACEK: Please do not give it a thought. Elena explained what happened ... (Tony stumbles) Careful, there! Anyway, I trust that you have suffered no worse from your adventure than a slight excess of vodka.
TONY: Film from my camera confiscated - nearly at the end, too - bit annoyed about that -
PLACEK: So I should think. But -
TONY: They've hung on to my passport too - have to get it back before the end of the week ...
PLACEK: Of course.
TONY: What do I do about it now?
PLACEK: Your friend of the vodka bottle - or rather, his chief - telephoned to explain the position. He has retrieved the film, no harm has come to it, and he will return it to you without delay.
TONY: That's something, at least.
PLACEK: Likewise the passport, once the necessary paperwork is completed. (As Tony sags) Elena, I think that you had better take the other arm - do you mind?
DISSOLVE TO THE CONFERENCE OFFICE, THREE DAYS LATER.
The desk is unattended. The piles of paper have changed and the document wallets have gone. The telephone is ringing and Placek hurries in to answer it; shortly afterwards Elena follows, more sedately.
PLACEK: Hello? ... Speaking ... Oh, hello, Colonel. What can I do for you? ... Yes, of course he's still here ... WHAT? Are you sure ...
He listens intently to a fairly extended narrative, his face registering shock, incredulity and then horrified amusement
PLACEK: Good grief, right under our
Exit, pursued by a bear Page 8